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Miami columnist: Stephenson might be in orange jumpsuit if not for NBA

Star report
6:44 p.m. EDT May 31, 2014

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Lance Stephenson (1) takes a breather during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat inside American Airlines Arena, Friday, May 30, 2014, in Miami, Fla.(Photo: Brent Drinkut / The Star)Buy Photo

He singles out Stephenson in his second paragraph by calling him "dirty" and by calling him a "punk."

"And now this is the Indiana Pacers and dirty Lance Stephenson, slinking back to a fan base that should be ashamed by what they have just seen from their team and from the punk who volunteered himself as the ugly face of it."

He continues by calling the Heat professionals and composed and eventually makes a bold statement.

"Stephenson's egregiously dirty streetball gives one the impression that if his skills hadn't put him in NBA clothes, his uniform by now might be an orange jumpsuit, county-issue."

Miami rolled the Pacers in Game 4. The Indiana win in Game 5 was more "one of those things that just happened" than anything. It was about LeBron's foul trouble and an outlier performance from the Pacers' offense. But in Game 4 when the Heat just came out and crushed the Pacers to take a 3-1 lead? That was it.

It wasn't just that the Heat won, or won in so many phases of the game. It was that watching Indiana, you could tell that they knew it, too. They were aware of who they are compared to Miami, and they didn't seem to want to fight it anymore. They were done. And so was the series.

He also takes a look ahead for Indiana.

Was the problem chemistry? Tactics? Talent? Execution? It seemed all of the above, but more than anything it looked emotional This team looked emotionally broken for much of the season, despite the fact it kept winning playoff games. Is that on Frank Vogel? Because Vogel seems like a quality coach, but he clearly couldn't get them back on the emotional coil.

Trade Roy Hibbert? David West? George Hill?

Stand pat, stay the course, keep the path?

There are no easy answers. The Pacers should have been better. They were better, until they weren't. Then it all fell apart.

Stephenson has worn out his welcome. His teammates seem tired of his antics, which do not pay dividends. I appreciate Stephenson's passion and desire to win. But he heard that Bird didn't like him blowing in James' ear in Game 5 and he essentially ignored that news, bumping James and even cuffing him in the chin, apparently in response to James touching Stephenson's face on a shot. Stephenson later swiped at the ball and hit Norris Cole in the face. Intentional? Who can tell with Stephenson?

Bird has been Stephenson's supporter his entire career, but there's a limit. Bird finally pulled the plug on Ron Artest. He should do the same with Stephenson, as opposed to overpaying such a volatile player and being stuck with him.

He also adds that the Pacers face one more problem.

There are tough decisions ahead for Bird and the Pacers. There's an even tougher reality: Whatever the Pacers do next, they're still stuck dealing with LeBron James. And, over the course of a playoff series, there's no solving that problem.

Pacers season ends leaving hard questions about next steps

Kurt Helin of NBC Sports also talks about Indiana's future. He discusses the team's contract situation and says the Pacers will likely bring back Stephenson.

The Pacers have committed to $64.9 million in salary for next season, which is already over the projected $63.2 million salary cap (data via Sham Sports). Roy Hibbert is set to make $14.8 million (and no, the Pacers are not going to trade him, they couldn't get anywhere near equal value back), Paul George is owed $13.7 million, David West $12 million, George Hill $8 million. The Pacers are not going to bring Evan Turner back and Luis Scola could be bought out to save a few million (his deal has a buyout for just under $1 million) but that still isn't going to open up much money.

All this ties Larry Bird's hands — there is no easy way to just pick up a free agent.

All those big contracts will it hard to find a trading partner — George Hill has three years and $24 million left and nobody is going to be eager to take that deal on, for example.

Which is why, despite his antics, the Pacers may bring back Lance Stephenson, who is an unrestricted free agent this summer. The question is what does his return cost? He seems like the kind of player some GM will offer four years, $40 million to and gamble on his maturing. Because giving a young player $40 million always helps them mature. Still Stephenson is on the top of everyone's "guy who is going to get overpaid this summer" list.